[IRON FIC][.hack//GU] The Truth

[Cosgrove]

The Truth

Water passed through the bridge below, a quiet white noise to help block out the background noise. Not that anyone could hear the two members of this private conversation. Still, a small beastman PC and a towering human Steam Gunner, with an odd casket over his left arm made quite the odd pair as they sat on the bridge’s edge.

“When did things begin to go wrong? No, there’s no need to ask that question. That answer is already known well enough to me. It began on that day, when Aina was turned into the first lost one, and I was dealt a terrible curse.

“AIDA, even now I can feel it gnawing away at me, Phyllo. When I had formed the Twilight Brigade, I thought perhaps I had found a way to find that mythological Key of the Twilight. But it was nothing more than a failure.”

The man clutched at his sealed arm.

“In the end, I only brought about more tragedy. Was it I who called Shino to the Hulle Granz Cathedral… or was it the AIDA? Even know, I’m not sure. But, with these hands… We created even more victims.”

Clutching at his face, the man let out a muffled sound. Even to Phyllo‘s ears, he wasn’t sure if it was from laughter or a sob. Perhaps it was a bit of both.

“The person, even now Haseo hunts… is nothing more than something the goddess created to stop me. Its ironic, isn’t it? I’m honestly glad he doesn’t know. He isn’t ready.

“Not yet.”

Regaining his compose, the Steam Gunner known as Ovan adjusted his glasses, obscuring his eyes.

“Even now, he’s known as ‘The Terror of Death,’ but the power he clutches to isn’t the one he needs. But he holds the potential. That’s why… I will lead him from the shadows until he’s ready. Until he’s able to face the terrible truth that awaits him.”

Glancing towards his quiet companion, Ovan grew quiet. After a few minutes, the beastman’s character vanished, with the sounds of a forced disconnect, the sounds of medical equipment blaring for a short moment. Sitting there for a minute, he let a bitter smile play across his face.

“So, you listened to a wretched man like me in your last moments? Thank you for listening to my confession, old friend… and goodbye.”

The man spent the next few minutes staring at the river, his mind lost in memories before his eyes became focused and determined. A quiet ping left his character as he sent a short mail. He stood up and made his way towards the Chaos Gate, his posture now subtly sinister in the twilight light of Mac Anu.

“Come now, Haseo, let us usher in the final acts of this tragic play.”

 

[Watashiwa]

Writing Proficiency: 14/20 Something just feels off about this. I think it's Ovan's monologue, it doesn't sound anything like he's talking to a person, or even talking to get his thoughts straight. Though, the scene description suffered some problems as well.
Theme: 15/20 So much dancing around, so little payoff! Like I said, he should be taking this opportunity to get things off his chest. Pity ΔHidden Forbidden Holy Ground wasn't available for this.
Source: 13/20 To be honest, nothing about this really says dotHack. Sure, the terminology and characters are from there, but where's the scenery? The talk about separation between online and offline lives?
Story: 15/20 There's nothing wrong with it, even fits into the game pretty well.
Other: 15/20 Two friends staring out over the water, one unwillingly the other's killer... could be poetry.
Total: 72